Another record which isn’t going to make my “best of” list, but which surely deserves some attention is the first solo effort from former member of the Delgados, Emma Pollock.
Watch the Fireworks doesn’t surprise much – take her previous work, remove the band, and give her a little (though not all that much) more room to show her folky side. The result is close to most Delgados records: a few gorgeous tunes, a few relative clunkers, and a great voice that is more than enough to carry you through the weaker moments.
In fact, if you didn’t know it was a solo record, you could almost believe some of these tracks were new ones from the band. This record is characterized by the same waltzing beats, restlessly driving you through each song – a phenomenon that occasionally is used to great effect but also sometimes leaves you wishing for some variation to let you breathe a little bit.
It also suffers from a moderate lack of balance. The first three tracks might very well be the best on the record, including the sparkling “Paper and Glue,” which makes for a nice opening salvo, but the rest can’t quite live up.
Final verdict: Emma Pollock can still make orchestral indie pop sound as good as anyone – even if the total product can’t live up to my (perhaps unrealistic) expectations of a new Delgados record.
Paper and Glue – Emma Pollock